Playing with Cookie Dough

Pat's Coconut Walnut Chocolate Chip Cookies 

(Paleo compliant)

These gluten (grain) free cookies have a great taste and hold together quite well. They're very moist and do best if refrigerated.  Please be advised that this recipe is in its experimental phase and you'll be trying it at your own risk.  Next  time I make them, I think I will add just a little more almond flour so they are not quite so soft.  However, not being a mad scientist chef like Alton Brown, I'm not exactly sure which ingredient will work best to firm them up. If you want to give the recipe  a try I'd love to hear the results. I was hankering for some of my Norwegian Grandmother's Oatmeal cookies, but needed to eliminate the flour and the oatmeal to make them gluten free.  I would make these again. 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Dry Ingredients:

2 Cups almond flour

1/2 cup coconut flour

1/2 cup shredded unsweetened coconut

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

Note:  I like to mix up my dry and wet ingredients  separately, then mix them together. 

Wet Ingredients:

I cup coconut milk (organic--I use 365 from whole foods) soured with 2 tsp vinegar

1/2 cup applesauce

1/4 cup raw honey (may add more to taste) 

1/2 cup virgin organic coconut oil (melt with honey)

3 eggs beaten

2 tsp vanilla

Once the ingredients are mixed together add 1/2 to 1 cup gluten free chocolate chips.  (Should be 85% or more chocolate.  I use a gluten free, soy free chip); and 1 cup chopped walnuts or other nut of choice.  Of course you can do raisins or cranberries as well.  Line your cookie sheet with parchment paper or a Silpat sheet. Scoop up some dough, make a ball and flatten it.   

Bake for 15-20 minutes until nicely browned.

The Healthy Norwegian

I am seriously working on a new blog called The Healthy Norwegian in which I'll be sharing recipes, food tips, important facts and other miscellaneous foodie things.  

Ideas Worth Keeping and Pursuing

A Murderous Moment

"You're not going to hit me with that thing, are you?" Phillip backed up, but didn't look the least bit frightened.

"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't." Tess held the heavy ornate vase above her head. She hadn't meant to pick it up and it wouldn't have been her first choice as a weapon. The fireplace poker or the pistol in their mother's bedside stand would have suited her better.

But, no. Her cousin's greed and his haughty attitude had enticed her to grab for the first thing that resembled a weapon. The vase. Now she held it high in both hands, ready to bring it down on Phillip's pompous head. There was just one problem. He was standing on the second step of the grand stairway while she stood at the bottom.

"Don't come any closer."  She lifted the vase a bit higher.

He laughed. "Come on, Tess. Give it up. You're not a killer. And even if you were, you couldn't do much damage with that thing."

She wasn't. Normally. But at this moment, or maybe it was the moment before, she'd been angry enough to kill the man. Angry enough to bash his head in.

Most of the anger had seeped out now and her weapon was growing heavier by the second. She sighed and lowered it to the floor. "You're right. I guess killing you isn't the answer."

"No it isn't." His cockiness almost made her want to reconsider.

"We'll have to figure out another way to work things out." She only hoped they could.

He smiled. "I have the perfect solution."  Phillip drew a pistol from his pocket and shot her. 

Strangers In the Night on Sale

Such a Deal

I'm pleased to announce that my new mystery/romantic suspense, Strangers In the Night is now available on Amazon for only $0.99.

All Abbie wants is to protect her daughter and avoid authorities. But the handsome stranger with Frank Sinatra eyes threatens to change everything.  

The sale will continue for one month after which it will go back to the retail price of $7.99.  Just click on the title and you will be magically transported to Amazon.com

Will it be a series?

A number of people have asked if Strangers in the Night will be the first in a series.  I have to answer that question two different ways.  I would love to write a mystery, romantic suspense series about artists like Abbie, but probably more contemporary.  Though I did enjoy writing retro. And I have worked up a synopsis with that in mind. Now to find a publisher. :-)

However, Strangers in the Night is part of a series called When I Fall in Love where a number of authors wrote stories set in the 50's and early 60's. In this series, you'll find books such as Baby, It’s Cold Outside by Susan May Warren, Love Letters in the Sand by Diann Hunt, Unforgettable by Trish Perry, Love Me Tender by Janice Hanna, and I’ll Be Home for Christmas by Julie L. Cannon.  All fine authors and though I haven't read any of these yet, I'm looking forward to doing so.

Strangers In the Night is available in several e-book formats.

Contest Winners!

Hi everyone,

I'm pleased to announce the twenty winners of the free book contest featuring my new book, Strangers in the Night.  I am still waiting for a few e-mail addresses and as soon as I get them, I'll be able to sent the list to my publisher and they will in turn sent the e-books out to you.

Congratulations to the winners:
Peggy Anderson
Marilyn Rhoads
Dinah Olsen Mcleod
Janet Lynn Rubert
LeElla Sorensen
Joyce Scott
Ashley Wintters
Dana Wilkerson Spille
Carol Wright
Jennie Stannard Weber
Lelia Rose Foreman
Monica Allen
Merilee Ferrell
Deborah Tilden
Diana Cruz
Pauline Jim Creeden
Jan Bono
Mary Muckel Stone
Pati Pate
Mary Hake

Thanks so much for sharing my post and entering the contest. And thank you also for your encouragement.  I'm still quite excited about having a new release.  Plus, my publisher tells me they'll be featuring an ad soon and will be offering the book at a great sale price.  More details to come.